New faces can make Bangladesh better: Shamit

Midfielder Shamit Shome believes the new faces in the Bangladesh squad will add value and raise the level of competition as the team prepares for the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.

"We have some new players coming in. It's been great meeting them and training with them for the first time. I'm very impressed. Everyone brings something valuable to the group, which will improve our squad and raise the level of competition,” Shamit said in a video message after joining the team yesterday.

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"I'm hopeful this will make our team even better. It's nice to meet all the new guys, and we all share the exact same goal: to play well, win matches and succeed for Bangladesh.”

Overseas-based players such as Hamza Choudhury, Shamit, Zayyan Ahmed and Fahamedul Islam have already added to a new-look Bangladesh squad, while defender Zidane Yousuf, forward Farhaan Ali Wahid and midfielder Shuki Itofusa have also joined the squad for the first time under head coach Thomas Dooley.

The 29-year-old midfielder also sees the ASEAN Cup as an opportunity for Bangladesh to prove themselves in the inaugural edition of the FIFA tournament.

"This is a major tournament, a FIFA event, so it's a fantastic opportunity for Bangladesh to prove that we can compete at a higher level. I am confident that we can do well and put in strong performances," Shamit said. "Now, our focus is simply getting ready. We'll use the next two days to prepare, rest, get a good night's sleep at the hotel, and then we go again."

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Despite joining the squad only three days before the tournament begins, Shamit feels Bangladesh's preparation under Dooley has been encouraging.

"It feels great to be playing with everyone again after a couple of months away. The team is looking very sharp, and training has gone really well. I believe our preparation has been solid," said Shamit, who is also enjoying his spell with New York Cosmos.

Bangladesh begin their campaign against Malaysia on September 25, the opening day of the tournament.

Dooley was also pleased to finally have his full squad together after Sohel Rana Jr joined the team yesterday.

"I am very happy that everybody is here now. Mursalin still has some issues with his calf, so hopefully we get the pictures tonight and he can train tomorrow. Otherwise, I am glad that everybody is here and we can train," Dooley said.

"We have a couple of new players in there. They haven't played with Shamit there, with Hamza and obviously Fahad. Fahad looks good too."